Avengers sign AFL all-purpose leader Timon Marshall
Published on October 30, 2007 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Timon Marshall, who led the Arena Football League in all-purpose yards in each of the past two seasons, signed a two-year free agent contract with the Los Angeles Avengers on Tuesday. The team also inked two-year deals with defensive backs Michael Bragg and Terrell Maze.
Marshall (5-foot-11, 190 pounds, Ottawa [Kan.] University) played in 13 games for the Grand Rapids Rampage this past season before signing with the Chicago Bears on June 5. Despite missing the final three games of the 2007 season, he still led the AFL with 3,050 all-purpose yards. Marshall caught 102 passes for 1,134 yards and 27 touchdowns for Grand Rapids, and also returned 83 kickoffs for 1,901 yards (averaging 22.9 yards) and six scores. The Bears released him just prior to the start of the current NFL regular season.
"We probably just went from being the worst team in the league in kickoff returns to being the best," Avenger head coach Ed Hodgkiss said. "The addition of Timon Marshall dramatically improves our team in that department. He's an explosive kick returner and a threat to take it all the way every time he touches the ball, but we're also expecting him to do big things for us on the offensive side of the ball."
On April 28, 2007, Marshall ironically had one of the best games of his career against the Avengers, totaling 406 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns in a 75-71 loss at STAPLES Center.
"Our fans should remember him well from that game," Hodgkiss said. "He just took over and almost single-handedly won it for Grand Rapids. So, it will be great to have him on our side now."
In 2006, Marshall led the AFL with 2,734 all-purpose yards and became the first player in league history to record 1,300 receiving yards and 1,300 return yards in the same season.
Before joining the Rampage in 2005, Marshall established himself as Ottawa (Kan.) University's all-time leader in touchdowns (39) and began his professional career with two seasons in arenafootball2. In 2003, Marshall helped the Tulsa Talons capture the ArenaCup championship. A year later, he led the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgs with 2,139 all-purpose yards.
Bragg (6-1, 195, Texas A&M-Kingsville) played in four games for the Kansas City Chiefs last year and remained with the club until being released just prior to the start of the 2007 regular season. He signed a free agent contract with the New York Giants following the 2005 NFL Draft, but was released at the end of training camp.
A native of Lakewood, Calif., Bragg attended Mayfair High School and Cerritos College (Norwalk, Calif.) before transferring to Texas A&M-Kingsville, where he recorded 36 tackles, 10 pass breakups, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries in two seasons with the Javelinas.
"We worked Bragg out a couple of years ago, really liked him and wanted to sign him, but that same day he was contacted by the Chiefs and ended up spending almost two seasons within their program. We feel he can be a dominant defensive back in the AFL. Bragg is big, physical and has long arms, everything that you want in a DB. We're looking forward to him coming in and having a big impact in the secondary."
Maze (5-11, 175, San Diego State) signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens following the 2007 NFL Draft, but was released just prior to the start of the regular season. During a four-year collegiate career at San Diego State (2003-06), he played in 42 games, finishing with 136 tackles, 20 pass breakups and four interceptions.
A native of Santa Monica, Calif., Maze was a 2001 All-CIF selection at cornerback as a senior at Santa Monica High School. He also saw some time on offense for the Vikings, catching seven touchdown passes, and also returned two kickoffs for scores.
"After Maze came back from the Ravens' camp, we worked him out and were really impressed with his ability," Hodgkiss said. "He plays with a lot of confidence, has a smooth backpedal and is always in position to make plays."
This past season, the Avengers finished second in the Western Division, compiling a 9-7 regular-season record before defeating the Utah Blaze, 64-42, at STAPLES Center to register the franchise's first postseason victory.
Avenger 2008 season tickets, which include nine games played at STAPLES Center, are on sale now at 1-888-AVENGERS or www.laavengers.com.
The AFL is expected to announce its 2008 schedule shortly.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 30, 2007
- SaberCats ink free agent Frank Carter - San Jose SaberCats
- Avengers sign AFL all-purpose leader Timon Marshall - Los Angeles Avengers
- Rattlers guarantee season ticket holders the playoffsâ¦or their money back - Arizona Rattlers
- AFL free agency frenzy begins - AFL I
- Storm sign wide receiver Tyrone Timmons - Tampa Bay Storm
- Rush signs two of AFL's all-time greats - Chicago Rush
- Columbus Destroyers Sign Free Agent Wide Receiver Derek Lee - Columbus Destroyers
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